Alcatraz Aquathlon 2009

Don't forget to wear some flowers in your hair. always do

I swam from Alcatraz - OK not legitimately. I wore a wetsuit. I did the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon last year. I fractured my shoulder body surfing in February and was left with 5 weeks to train for all 3 events. However, I did emphasize swim training thinking that the bike ride was short and I could walk the run (didn't). I was only marginally prepared for the race. Not really race ready, just capable of swimming the distance. In a wetsuit I did not find the swim particularly challenging, although we did have good conditions. I swam what I considered painfully slow. I have no idea what others were doing, but I ended up in the top 10%. If I were to swim it this year I think I would be in the top 2%. More a statement on triathletes' swimming ability (in general) than how fast I can get this 56 year old body going. PS. It is a great race if you are so inclined and can get in.

Can you do it without a wetsuit? Not that I would!

Can you do it without a wetsuit? Not that I would! Yes of course. There are purists that would not consider swimming it with a wetsuit on. Even in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon there were a few who swam without one. I suspect you would swim faster, at least for awhile. . .

Open water rules... USMS 303.6.3—Wet suits may be allowed at the discretion of the meet director. Wet suits generally provide a competitive advantage. If awards are given to wet suit competitors they shall be awarded separately from those for non-wet suit competitors. Any published results or records must clearly indicate which swimmers wore wet suits. 60 degrees is cold. Lynne Cox would do it though. Good luck!

I'm in for this year. I've done the Sharkfest and the Invitational each once, but didn't swim Alcatraz last year. A little further distance than those two, but I think we get the benefit of the outgoing tide (maybe?) and we don't have to hit the entry to Aquatic Park, but a big long beach (correct?). First time, I got swept a little past the AP entrance and had to swim like a madman tio get in! Didn't get picked up though. I like the timing chip idea, two years ago the Invitational started as I was still in line on the stairs on the boat :) I think this is USAT rules and not USMS rules, though I may be mistaked The purists call the Westuit division the WS division (the one I am in)...... pronounced as "Wussies" :)

In Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon I over compensated and aimed too far left. Once I made the correction for the last 400 meters it was like swimming down river. From a spectator's point of view it looked like I was coming striaght from the island. If the swim is like the tri, I estimated the distance to be closer to 1 mile than the posted 1 1/2 miles posted because of the current.

Yep, the next year I overcompensated, the current wasn't as strong, and ended up way left of the opening. Alcatraz Challenge ends at East Beach at Crissy Field, same as escape I think? Both swims I did were advertised as 1.5 but I think that takes into account that you swim a "bow," neither of them were 1.5 (although i don't tell that to my friends that look at results online)

Sent my entry in yesterday, skin division.

I did sharkfest last year never having swam open water. I swam in Aquatic Park once a week before the race and had some furry friends swim beside me, that was kinda weird. The swim was a lot of fun it was foggy and cold out and the water wasn't very calm but I swam a little on my back and looking at Alcatraz surrounded by fog was amazing, I wouldn't have asked for it any other way. Made it into Aquatic Park no problem, the water was 57 degrees. I would highly recommend you do it. If not just that once it was definilty worth it. Every time I cross the Golden Gate Bridge I say I swam that distance. Not many people can say that it. I wear my Alcatraz Sharkfest shirt with pride!